Cancer patients' quality of life linked to male hormone levels

The male hormone testosterone has been linked to differing quality of life among cancer sufferers.

Conducted by the University of Sheffield, the study discovered a link between the deficiency of the testosterone and low energy levels associated with a poor quality of life among men who have had radiation of chemotherapy cancer treatments.

Professor Richard Ross, lead author of the study, commented: "The relationship between testosterone levels and quality of life is complex and appears to depend on a threshold level rather than on a direct correlation.

"We now need interventional trials with testosterone to determine which young male cancer survivors will benefit from replacement therapy."

The deficiency of testosterone was not found to have affected self-esteem or sexual relationships, despite there being a connection between sexual function and the levels of the hormone.

Cancer Research recently conducted a study which revealed that men are at "significantly greater risk than women from nearly all of the common cancers that occur in both sexes with the exception of breast cancer".